Anica Mrose Rissi

Anica Mrose Rissi did not know she would become an author of children’s books when she was a child growing up on Deer Isle. She thought she would become a scientist like her doctor dad, or pursue music like her mom or, upon graduating from Yale, go into philanthropy. The world had different plans for her, however, and put her smack dab in the middle of the world of children’s book publishing when she got a job editing for Scholastic.

Anica is a classically trained violinist who has played the National Anthem at a Celtics game, but now prefers to play fiddle in her electro-country band, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. She loves ice cream and taking walks with her dog, Arugula, the model for Banana in her “Anna, Banana” books. She thinks growing up on an island gave her the opportunity to expand her imagination and listening to the tales of fishermen helped her become the storyteller she is today. Anica thinks everyone should have a dog like Arugula.

Books by Anica: “Anna, Banana” series, “The Teacher’s Pet,” “Watch Out For Wolf,” (to be released in 2019), and YA book, “Always, Forever, Maybe.” For more about the author, visit www.anicarissi.com.